As for coming on board this ship, you cannot bring that as a charge against me, since it was at your own invitation I did it.

The rites of hospitality are as sacred as they are general." The members of the court exchanged significant glances with each other, and there was a pause of more than a minute.

Then the Judge Advocate resumed his duties saying; "I wish you to understand, prisoner, the precise legal effect of your admissions; then I wish them to be made formally and deliberately; else we must proceed to the examination of other witnesses.

You are said to be Raoul Yvard, an alien enemy, in arms against the king." "Monsieur, this I have already admitted; it cannot honorably be denied." "You are accused of coming on board His Majesty's ship Proserpine disguised, and of calling yourself a boatman of Capri, when you were Raoul Yvard, an alien enemy, bearing arms against the king." "This is all true; but I was invited on board the ship, as I have just stated." "You are furthermore accused of rowing in among the ships of His Majesty, now lying in the Bay of Naples, and which ships are under the orders of Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson, Duke of Bronte, in Sicily, you being in the same disguise, though an alien enemy, with the intent to make your observations as a spy, and, doubtless, to avail yourself of information thus obtained, to the injury of His Majesty's subjects, and to your own advantage and that of the nation you serve." "Monsieur, this is not so--_parole d'honneur_, I went into the bay in search of Ghita Caraccioli, who has my whole heart, and whom I would persuade to become my wife.

Nothing else carried me into the bay; and I wore this dress because I might otherwise have been known and arrested." "This is an important fact, if you can prove it; for, though it might not technically acquit you, it would have its effect on the commander-in-chief, when he comes to decide on the sentence of this court." Raoul hesitated.